Fresh Property’s step-by-step guide to buying your property

Step 1 Arranging your finances

Step one, before anything else, it is advisable you arrange your finances, and if required, get an agreement in principle (agreed mortgage), this will tell you how much you can afford to spend on a property.

Our mortgage broker, Fresh Finance, has access to the entire market, as well as exclusive deals and rates to help find you the best mortgage available.

Step 2 Register

Now you know your budget, you can begin to look for a property. 

Register with Fresh Property by simply calling 01375 360 031, or email info@freshproperty.co.uk, where you can talk to us about your specific property requirements.

Step 3 Finding the right property

Now we have a good understanding of what your ideal home looks like, we can then keep you updated on new to market properties, before they even hit the internet, you can register for email alerts and priority phone calls from our sales team to make sure you don’t miss out on your ideal home.

Step 4 Viewings

In order to secure a property, it is advisable to arrange a viewing as early as possible.
 
We at Fresh property can accompany the viewing if you wish, and will be able to answer any questions you have immediately and advise where necessary.

Step 5 Making an offer

Once you have identified a property you would like to buy, we will put your offer forward to the vendor, both verbally and in writing. (along with any special conditions)

Step 6 Offer agreed

Once your offer is accepted by the vendor we will arrange for the agreed terms to be sent in writing to all parties. It is at this stage that you will need to instruct your solicitor to proceed.

Step 7 Instructing a solicitor

You will need to instruct a solicitor to handle the legal paperwork involved (known as conveyancing). We recommend that you use a solicitor that knows the area that you are buying in, and who specialises in conveyancing.

We will have a selection of solicitors that we work with on a regular basis who we are happy to recommend.

Step 8 Conveyancing

As part of the conveyancing process your solicitor will do the following:

• Raise any enquiries relating to the property you are wishing to buy
• Request local searches and confirm environmental details relating to the property
• Confirm your security towards the property (i.e Buildings insurance, lease details)
• Agree on a date for exchange of contracts

We will assist your solicitor and negotiate throughout the process, keeping you informed every step of the way.

Step 9 Survey and mortgage offer

If you are obtaining a mortgage for the property, your mortgage lender will book a surveyor to visit the property to identify any structural issues that the property may have and to offer the mortgage lender a valuation of the property. This will not involve a detailed survey of the property and it is done with no obligations 
to you.

After the mortgage valuation report is received, a formal mortgage offer will be sent to you and your solicitor which you will need to sign before it is returned.  There are no legal obligations until contracts are signed.

Step 10 Exchange of contracts

The contract needs to be signed by you and the vendor. The deposit (usually a 10% minimum of the purchase price, but this can vary from sale to sale) is transferred to the vendor’s solicitor. Once they receive the deposit the contracts can be exchanged. It is at this point that the sale is legally binding.

The completion date is set.

Step 11 Completion

This is generally set a few days to a few weeks after exchange of contracts, depending on the personal requirements of both the buyer and seller.

The agreed price (less deposit) is transferred from the buyer's solicitor to your solicitor's account and your fees and bills will be settled.

Congratulations, you are the legal owner of your new property!